Frame for stretching leather.



Patented Aug. 20, IQUI;

F. H. GEORGE.

FRAME FOR STBETCHING LEATHER.

'Application led Aug. 2, 1900.)

2 Sheeis--Sheet l.

(No Model.)

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@Mme/1%@ ds ZZo/fffeg N0. 680,855. Patented Aug. 2o, 190|.

F. H. mma.

FRAME FUR STRETCHING LEATHER.

(Application filed Aug. 2, 1900.)

2 Sheeis-Sheet 2,

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llniirnn drains Ferrini @risica FREDERICK H. GEORGE, OF MINNEAPOLI'MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOR TO W. S. NOTT COMRANY.

FRAME Fon smeren-Hue LEATHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters PatentNo. 680,855, dated August 20, 1901. Application led August 2, 1900.- Serial No. 25,612. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FREDERICK H. GEORGE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Minneapolis, Minnesota., have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Frames for Stretching Leather, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the frames commonly employed in connection with stretching-machines for holding the leather both while it is being subjected to tension by the machine and afterward while it is drying and until it has become set. Wooden frames are generally used for the purpose, and they are objectionable for several reasons. If made sufficiently light for convenience in handling, they are liable to spring or break under the severe tension necessary to properly stretch thick leather, and lwhen made of proper strength for the work required they are heavy, inconvenient to handle, and occupy considerable space.

The principal object of my invention is to avoid the objections to such wooden frames by constructing a more durable and more convenient frame composed mainly of metal.

My improvements are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a plan view of a stretcher-frame and connections embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a transverse section, enlarged, of one of the side rails and a portion of the stretcher-head on the line @c of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a similar view on the line y y of Fig. 1, showing a portion of the head and the dog and toothed bar for locking it against return movement. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but showing a variation in construction of the plate that supports the stretcherhead and carries the dogs. Figs. 5 and 6, respectively, show in plan view the same constructions as Figs. 3 and at. Figs. 7 and 8 are plan views similar to Fig. 1, showing variations in the structure of the frame. Fig. 9 is an end view of the frame from the right of Fig. 7. Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail of a portion of Fig. 9, and Fig. 11 is a like detail of a portion of Fig. 8.

In such drawings the side rails 1 of the frame in the preferred form consist of metal, preferably steel, of channel or other suitable angular shape, and, as shown, may comprise a web 2 and two flanges 3 at the same side. At one end these rails are connected by a bar or bars 4 and at the other end by the stationary stretcherhead 5, which is secured to the flanges 3 by bolts G. The slidable stretcherhead 7, which, like the stationary hea-d 5, may be of wood, is held between upper and lower plates 8, that have iianges or projecting portions 9 extending within the flanges 3 of the ,rails for guiding the movements of the slidable head. The plates 8 may be separate pieces, as shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 5, or portions of a single casting, as indicated in Figs. 4 and 6.

Within the channels of the rails are secured toothed bars 10, which are engaged by dogs 11, carried bythe head 7. The dogs are pivyoted between studs 12 on plates 13 at the inner edges of the head and have handles la extending inward from the studs for turning `the dogs on their pivots to release them from ythe teeth of the bars. Vbe seated in sockets 16 in the head 7, have Springs 15, which may h eads or guides 15a, which bear against the `handles 14 to hold the dogs in engagement luntil released by pressure on the handles.

In the modifications illustrated in Figs. 7

to 11 the side rails 17 of the frame are shown as consisting of metal tubes. In Fig. 7 they are shown to be united at one end by a crossrail18, also of tubing, by means of elbows 19 and at the other end bya hollow cross-rail 2O by means Vof elbows 21, extending upward from the side rails. The latter cross-rail is elevated above the frame sides to make room for the stretching-machine connections. The iixed stretcher-head 5 is secured to the crossrail 18 by eyebolts 22, the rail being passed through the eyes and the bolts through the head 5 and held by nuts 23. On the inner edge of the head are plates 24, that are secured thereon by the bolts 22 and screwbolts 25, and the projecting ends 26 of the plate are suitably notched to partially span the side rails to prevent the head 5 from up and down movement. The slidable stretcher-head 7 has its outer edges supported and guided by similar plates 24, and on its inner edge are plates 27, having similar guiding ends 26, engaging the rails 17.

The

IOO

latter plates are secured by short screw-bolts 25 and by bolts 28, which extend through the head and have eyes 29 at their outer ends for making connections With the stretching mechanism. The head 7 is thus adapted to move freely lengthwise of the side rails.

On the inner surfaces of the side rails are toothed bars lO, with which the dogs ll engage,the construction and operation being the same as heretofore described. The laterallyprojecting portions of the plates 2l and 27 are recessed, as shown at 30, to provide free spaces for the bars lO, so that the slidable head cannot come in contact with the bars while in operation.

-The construction of the frame itself is somewhat varied in the modification shown in Figs. 8 and ll. The end rails are dispensed with and the stretcher-heads are utilized for suitably connecting the side rails. On the outer edge of the stationary head 5 are plates 3l, having screw-threaded sockets in their enlarged outer portions 32 for receiving the ends of the side rails, and on the inner edge of the head are plates 33, havingcollars 3:4 around the rails, and bolts 35 are passed through the plates 3l and. 33; and the head 5- to hold the parts firmly in` place. On the edges of the movable head 7 are plates 36 and 37, provided with collars 38, loosely encircling the side rails and recesses 39, providing suit able spaces for the toothed bars. The plates 3'and 37 have flangesLlO, which overlap the corners of theV head 7 to strengthen the construction. The plates and headl are secu-red together and held in place by bolts 25 and 28,

the latter having eyes 29'. The endsof the side rails have caps lll to protect and strengthen them.

In use the ends; of a side orl other division is supported on a tableror otl1erw.ise,with the ends of the side rails against the abutments 42 of a stretching-machine. The eyes 29 on thesliding head are then connected by rods 43 to the cross-head or other proper part of the stretching mechanism and. power applied thereto. As the sliding head is advanced the dogs ll engage the teeth of the bars l0 and when the head is disconnected from the power mechanism hold it from return movement. The dogs may be disengaged when desired by pressure on their spring-actuated handles.

Having described my invention, what I claim is l. A leather-stretching frame, consisting of metal side rails of channel-bar form, a cross-bar connecting one of the ends thereof, a stationary stretcher-head connecting the other end, a movable stretcher-head having upper and lower flanges at its ends extending within the channels of said rails for guiding its movements and having means for con.- necting it to a stretching-machine, rows of ratchet-teeth provided in the channelsof the side rails, dogs carried by the movable head for engaging said teeth to prevent backward movement et the head, and springs for actuating the` dogs,v substantially as set forth.

2'. A leather-stretching frame, consisting of metal side rails ot channel-bar form, a

` cross-bar-connecting one of the ends thereof, a stationary stretcher-head connecting the zother end, a movable stretcher-head having `upper and lower flanges at its ends extend- Iing within the ehannels'of saidrailsffor guid- .ing its movements and having meanslfor conmeeting-it` to ay stretching-machine, rows of ratchet-teeth providedin thechannels of" the side rails, dogs pivoted to studs on the inevable head and having handles'for operating them, and springs engaging said handles for yholding the dogs normally in engagement l 'withvsaid teeth, substantially as set forth.

of leather are secured to the stretcher-heads -andy 7 in any suitable way, and the frame.

In testimonyvwhereof I have hereuntoset `my hand this 24th day of July, 1900.

FREDERICKY H. GEORGE. In presence of- A. L. WHELAN, P. H. GUNCKEL. 

